LANAP Laser Gum Treatment in Urbandale, Iowa
If you have been told you have moderate to advanced gum disease, or that you need traditional osseous surgery, there is a more patient-friendly, tissue-preserving alternative. At Plaza Dental in Urbandale, Iowa, we offer LANAP (Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure): an FDA-cleared laser treatment that eliminates infection, promotes regeneration of the supporting structures around your teeth, and helps you avoid the scalpel entirely.
LANAP aligns with our whole-body, holistic philosophy. Rather than cutting away tissue to manage gum disease, LANAP works with your body’s natural healing response, removing infection and creating the conditions for true regenerative healing.
What Is LANAP?
LANAP stands for Laser-Assisted New Attachment Procedure. It is the only FDA-cleared laser protocol specifically designed to treat periodontitis, the chronic bacterial gum infection that destroys the bone and connective tissue supporting your teeth.
The procedure uses the PerioLase MVP-7, a free-running pulsed Nd:YAG laser with a wavelength selectively absorbed by diseased tissue and harmful bacteria. Unlike a traditional scalpel, the laser targets infected and inflamed tissue while leaving healthy gum tissue intact.
LANAP Is a Regenerative Procedure
This distinction matters. Traditional osseous surgery removes diseased tissue but does not regenerate what has been lost. LANAP is clinically documented to stimulate the conditions necessary for periodontal regeneration, including:
- New cementum formation on previously diseased root surfaces
- New periodontal ligament attachment
- New alveolar bone growth
LANAP does not just stop the damage. It creates the biological environment for your body to rebuild what gum disease has destroyed. This is why LANAP is classified as a regenerative procedure and is supported by independent university-level research.
How LANAP Works
LANAP is performed in one or two sessions, typically treating half the mouth per appointment. Here is what happens:
- A tiny laser fiber, roughly the width of three human hairs, is inserted between the tooth and gum
- The PerioLase laser selectively removes infected and inflamed tissue and kills pathogenic bacteria without cutting healthy tissue
- Tartar deposits are removed from the root surface using ultrasonic instrumentation
- The laser is passed through the pocket a second time to stimulate a stable fibrin clot, the foundation for regenerative healing
- Bite is adjusted to reduce trauma to healing tissues
- No stitches are required in most cases
The result is a sealed, bacteria-free environment in which your body’s natural healing mechanisms can begin the regenerative process.
Who Is a Candidate for LANAP?
LANAP is appropriate for patients with moderate to severe periodontitis, particularly those who have been told they need osseous surgery, or those who have deferred treatment due to fear, recovery concerns, or a desire for a less invasive approach.
You May Be a Good Candidate If You Have:
- Periodontal pocket depths of 5mm or greater
- Bleeding on probing and chronic gum inflammation
- Bone loss visible on dental X-rays
- Loose teeth due to bone and attachment loss
- A history of periodontal treatment with disease recurrence
LANAP Is Also a Strong Choice for Patients Who:
- Want to avoid scalpel-based surgery and sutures
- Have medical conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, or anticoagulant use that complicate conventional surgical healing
- Have dental anxiety or previous negative experiences with gum surgery
- Are seeking a biologically compatible, minimally invasive approach consistent with holistic health values
Not every patient with gum disease requires LANAP. Some earlier-stage cases respond well to non-surgical deep cleaning (scaling and root planing). A thorough periodontal evaluation at Plaza Dental Group will determine the appropriate level of care for your specific condition.
Patient Benefits of LANAP vs. Traditional Gum Surgery
LANAP consistently outperforms conventional osseous surgery on the measures patients care about most. Here is a direct comparison:
Why LANAP Aligns with Plaza Dental Group
At Plaza Dental Group, we believe effective treatment should work with the body’s biology, not against it. LANAP conserves healthy tissue, avoids unnecessary cutting, minimizes the systemic burden of surgery, and leverages your body’s innate regenerative capacity. For patients who have chosen holistic health as a guiding value, LANAP is a natural fit.
What to Expect During and After LANAP Treatment
Before Your Procedure
Your LANAP treatment begins with a comprehensive periodontal evaluation, including full periodontal charting, digital X-rays, and assessment of bone levels. We will review your medical history, current medications, and discuss what to expect in detail before any treatment begins. A complete series of photographs is typically taken as a baseline.
LANAP is typically performed in one or two sessions, with each session treating one half of the mouth. Most patients complete both sessions within one to two weeks.
During Treatment
Local anesthesia is administered to ensure your comfort. Most patients report that LANAP is significantly more comfortable than they anticipated. The laser fiber is thin and the procedure does not involve the pressure sensations associated with traditional surgical instruments. Treatment time per session is typically two to three hours.
After Treatment
LANAP’s recovery profile is one of its most significant advantages over traditional surgery:
- Most patients return to normal activities the following day
- Swelling and post-operative discomfort are typically minimal
- No sutures to remove
- A soft food diet is recommended for the first few days
- Gentle oral hygiene resumes immediately; specific instructions will be provided
- Prescription pain medication is rarely needed; over-the-counter options are usually sufficient
You may notice mild sensitivity or soreness for a few days as healing begins. The sealed gum tissue means you are unlikely to experience the prolonged discomfort associated with open-flap surgery.
Follow-Up and Long-Term Care
Periodontal healing following LANAP is an ongoing biological process. You will return for a post-operative check at one to two weeks, followed by supportive therapy visits at regular intervals, typically every three months for the first year. These visits allow us to monitor pocket depth reduction, assess bone regeneration, and maintain the healthy environment LANAP created.
Long-term success with LANAP depends on consistent supportive care and good home hygiene. Patients who complete their follow-up protocol reliably demonstrate sustained pocket depth reduction and documented bone preservation & regeneration.
Frequently Asked Questions About LANAP
Is LANAP FDA-cleared?
Yes. LANAP using the PerioLase MVP-7 is the only laser protocol that has received FDA clearance specifically for the treatment of periodontitis and for cementum-mediated new attachment in humans. Many lasers are used in dentistry, but LANAP is the only protocol with this specific clinical clearance and supporting histological research.
How is LANAP different from other laser gum treatments?
Not all laser gum procedures are LANAP. LANAP is a specific, patented protocol using the PerioLase MVP-7 laser. The PerioLase wavelength is calibrated to target the hemoglobin and melanin in diseased tissue while passing through healthy gum tissue without harm. Generic laser treatments using other wavelengths do not have the same tissue selectivity or documented regenerative outcomes. Plaza Dental Group is a certified LANAP provider with a PerioLase MVP-7 on-site.
Does LANAP hurt?
Most patients are pleasantly surprised by how comfortable LANAP is. Local anesthetic is used throughout, and many patients report far less discomfort during and after LANAP compared to their experience with traditional cleanings or previous dental procedures. Post-operative soreness is usually mild and manageable without prescription pain medication.
How long does LANAP take?
Each treatment session typically takes two to three hours. Most patients complete the full-mouth protocol in two sessions, usually scheduled one to two weeks apart. Most patients return to work and normal activities the day after treatment. Because there are no incisions or sutures, the post-operative period is significantly less disruptive than traditional gum surgery.
I have had gum treatment before and my disease came back. Can LANAP help?
Yes, and this is a common scenario we treat. Patients whose periodontitis has recurred following prior non-surgical or surgical treatment are often excellent LANAP candidates. The regenerative aspect of LANAP creates a biologically healthier long-term environment compared to traditional surgical approaches, and consistent supportive care following LANAP provides a strong foundation for long-term stability.
How do I know if I need LANAP or just a deep cleaning?
This is determined by the severity of your periodontal disease. Patients with newly diagnosed pocket depths in the 4 to 5mm range with early bone loss may respond well to scaling and root planing. LANAP is indicated for more moderate to advanced disease, typically 5mm pockets or greater with radiographic bone loss and active infection. A periodontal evaluation at Plaza Dental Group will give you a clear, honest answer about which treatment is right for you.
LAPIP: Laser Treatment for Peri-Implantitis
LANAP is a treatment for natural teeth. If you have dental implants and are experiencing inflammation, bleeding, or bone loss around an implant, a condition called peri-implantitis, we offer a related but distinct laser protocol called LAPIP (Laser-Assisted Peri-Implantitis Procedure).
Peri-implantitis is an infection of the tissue and bone surrounding a dental implant. Left untreated, it can progress to implant failure. LAPIP uses the same PerioLase MVP-7 laser technology to address bacterial infection around the implant, reduce inflammation, and help preserve the implant and the bone supporting it.
LANAP vs. LAPIP: An Important Distinction
LANAP treats gum disease around natural teeth. LAPIP treats infection around dental implants. They are separate procedures for different conditions. If you have both natural teeth with gum disease and implants with peri-implant disease, both protocols may be recommended, but they address distinct situations and are not interchangeable.
You May Benefit from a LAPIP Evaluation If You Have Dental Implants and Are Experiencing:
• Bleeding or discharge around an implant
• Redness, swelling, or tenderness at the implant site
• Deepening probe depths around the implant
• Visible bone loss on X-rays around the implant
• Implant mobility
Early intervention significantly improves outcomes. If you are concerned about the health of your dental implants, contact Plaza Dental Group to schedule an evaluation.
Schedule Your LANAP Consultation at Plaza Dental Group
Gum disease is one of the most common and undertreated conditions in adult oral health, and one of the most directly connected to systemic health. At Plaza Dental Group, we take a comprehensive, biologically aligned approach to periodontal care. LANAP gives our patients access to a treatment that is gentler, more regenerative, and more compatible with holistic health values than traditional surgery.
We serve patients throughout the greater Des Moines area, including Urbandale, West Des Moines, Clive, Johnston, and Waukee IA.
Plaza Dental Group | 14111 Douglas Pkwy, Suite 103, Urbandale, IA 50323 | 515-224-5999
